If you’ll recall, earlier this month we pitted the Nissan Rogue against the Kia Sorento in a Saturday Showdown that had the Rogue coming out on top. Now it moves on to take on another small crossover challenger, the Mitsubishi Outlander. Being direct competitors that are much more closely aligned in price and fit, this will be a close race.
Fast VS Facts
| Contenders: | 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander | 2015 Nissan Rogue |
| City/Hwy MPG: | 26/33 | 26/33 |
| Base Price: | $23,195 | $23,040 |
| Strong Point: | Family ergonomics | Fuel Efficient |
| Weakness: | Plain interior | Soft suspension |
| Showdown Score: | 15 | 17 |
Daily Use Ergonomics
Outlander: 3 | Rogue: 4
In everyday use, the Rogue has a beautiful interior with extremely comfortable seating and excellent on-road dynamics for maneuverability and highway comfort. The Outlander has a plain interior that is comfortable and ergonomic, but is a bit loud on the highway, though it does have great in-town maneuverability. We’re giving the win in this category to the Rogue for its superior fit and noise reduction.
Family Friendliness
Outlander: 4 | Rogue: 4
Here we’re calling it a draw. The Rogue has a comfortable set of front seats, a very ergonomic second row with the option of outboard Zero Gravity seating, and a usable third row option for children. The Mitsubishi, on the other hand, has a less comfortable interior by comparison, but has a better cargo area that’s more accessible as well as a slightly more workable third row. Both the Rogue and the Outlander can be had without the third row, but the Outlander further outshines in that its base model comes with the third row as standard (the Sport model is sans the third row), saving third row buyers a few bucks.
Ride Comfort
Outlander: 3 | Rogue: 5
This is another point where the Mitsubishi Outlander just doesn’t come up to par with the high bar set by the Nissan Rogue. The Rogue is very comfortable on the highway, quiet, and absorbs small impacts around town well. The Outlander is loud on the highway and transmits many impacts into the cabin. An easy win for the Rogue.
Powertrain Options
Outlander: 5 | Rogue: 4
Both the Rogue and the Outlander have a four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) at their base level. The Outlander also has a six-cylinder engine option. Both vehicles in their four-cylinder option have a wonderful CVT that is smooth and simple in its use. The Outlander, however, lacks power in comparison to the Rogue, but this can be compensated for, sometimes, by judicious use of the Sport mode option on the shifter. The V6, while offering lower fuel economy, does offer substantially more power for hill climbing and freeway passing. Although the Rogue does very well in all respects, ultimately we give the win to the Outlander for its V6 option, which the Nissan lacks.
Final Assessments
In the end, the Rogue took this one by two points, and deservedly so. The 2015 Outlander is a beautiful crossover with great style and a smart build, but the Rogue simply raises the bar higher than the Mitsubishi can reach. Those interested in buying, however, may note that the Outlander will be redesigned for the 2016 model year, so Mitsubishi is likely to heavily incentivize the 2015 Outlander this fall.
To read the individual reviews of the Showdown contenders, links are below for your convenience.
